Echocardiographic Ischemic Memory Molecular Imaging for Point-of-Care Detection of Myocardial Ischemia

Brian P. Davidson, James Hodovan, Michael E. Layoun, Harsh Golwala, Firas Zahr, Jonathan R. Lindner

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

7 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Noninvasive molecular imaging of recent ischemia can potentially be used to diagnose acute coronary syndrome (ACS) with high accuracy. Objectives: The authors hypothesized that bedside myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) ischemic memory imaging could be achieved with phosphatidylserine microbubbles (MBPS) that are retained in the microcirculation via ischemia-associated endothelial activation. Methods: A dose-finding study was performed in healthy volunteers (n = 17) to establish optimal MBPS dosing. Stable patients with ACS (n = 30) and confirmed antecedent but resolved myocardial ischemia were studied within 2 hours of coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) when indicated. MCE molecular imaging was performed 8 minutes after intravenous administration of MBPS. MCE perfusion imaging was used to assess the status of the postischemic microcirculation. Results: Based on dose-finding studies, 0.10 or 0.15 mL of MBPS based on body mass was selected. In patients with ACS, all but 2 underwent primary PCI. MCE molecular imaging signal intensity was greater in the postischemic risk area vs remote territory (median [95% CI]: 56 [33-66] vs 8 [2-17] IU; P < 0.001) with a receiver-operating characteristic curve C-statistic of 0.94 to differentiate post-ischemic from remote territory. Molecular imaging signal in the risk area was not related to type of ACS (unstable angina: 3; non–ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: 14; ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: 13), peak troponin, time to PCI, post-PCI myocardial perfusion, GRACE (Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events) score, or HEART score. Conclusions: Molecular imaging with point-of-care echocardiography and MBPS can detect recent but resolved myocardial ischemia. This bedside technique requires only minutes to perform and appears independent of the degree of ischemia.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1990-2000
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of the American College of Cardiology
Volume78
Issue number20
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 16 2021

Keywords

  • echocardiography
  • ischemia
  • molecular imaging

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Echocardiographic Ischemic Memory Molecular Imaging for Point-of-Care Detection of Myocardial Ischemia'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this